🟡 QUÉ HACEMOS CON LOS VIEJOS -- Los engranajes de Occidente 8

The Social Contract and the Journey of Life

The Burden of Existence

• The social contract suggests that individuals are born into a journey beyond their control, leading to a life filled with obedience until they reach a job they despise.

• This job, characterized by fear of loss, offers only one month of freedom per year in exchange for surrendering dreams for the remaining eleven months.

• Ultimately, this cycle culminates in a life spent chasing fleeting moments of joy while being bound to societal expectations.

Aging and Its Challenges

• The discussion transitions to the theme of aging, focusing on how society perceives older individuals as burdens rather than valuable contributors.

• A narrative about Don Ernesto illustrates the emotional weight of aging and loss, highlighting his connection to his deceased sister Clara.

Isolation in Old Age

Disconnection from Modern Society

• Don Ernesto's struggle with modern technology emphasizes the generational gap and feelings of alienation among the elderly.

• His attempts to connect with family are thwarted by communication barriers, leaving him feeling isolated during a time of grief.

Psychological Perspectives on Aging

• Aging is often viewed negatively; however, it can be rich in introspection and personal transformation despite its challenges.

• Psychologist Erik Erikson identifies "integrity versus despair" as key themes in old age, where finding coherence in one's life leads to satisfaction or despair.

Societal Attitudes Towards Elderly Care

Cultural Stereotypes and Their Impact

• Negative stereotypes about aging contribute to societal isolation for older adults, as noted by sociologist Elaine Cumming's theory on disengagement.

• Traditionally, families cared for elders; however, this practice has diminished significantly over the last 150 years due to urbanization and changing family structures.

Shifts in Family Dynamics

• The Industrial Revolution drastically altered family dynamics from extended families caring for elders to more nuclear setups that often neglect elder care.

• Contemporary living arrangements reflect diverse family structures but lack traditional support systems for elderly care.

Changing Roles within Families

Evolving Definitions of Family

• Current legislation aims to redefine familial roles and responsibilities towards children and elders amidst shifting cultural norms.

The Evolution of Family and Its Societal Implications

The Changing Role of Family

• The family loses its institutional and emotional character, becoming less relevant in the context of power structures, as discussed by Frederick Engels and L.H. Morgan.

• Post-Lenin's victory, traditional family roles were criticized for being obsolete within the new communist state, reflecting feminist thought rather than innovative ideas.

• Marxist feminists like Alexandra Kollontai argued that the traditional family was becoming outdated as the state took on more responsibilities in child education and care.

Consequences of Family Decline

• The ideological destruction of the family may lead to negative consequences for children's cognitive, social, and emotional development while potentially abandoning elderly care in future generations.

• The decline of familial institutions limits potential caregivers for the elderly, jeopardizing their necessary support networks.

State Welfare Systems

• Throughout the 20th century, many countries developed welfare systems to address aging populations' needs due to families' inability or unwillingness to provide full care.

• In Western societies, there is a growing trend where individuals prioritize personal freedom over having children due to uncertainty about future caregiving.

Pension System Challenges

• The pension system relies on five fundamental pillars: distribution from active workers’ contributions, proportionality based on individual contributions, universality for basic benefits access, public management of funds, and sufficiency of benefits.

• Critics argue that pension systems resemble pyramid schemes since they depend on recruiting new contributors to pay existing retirees without generating money independently.

Demographic Shifts Impacting Pensions

• As life expectancy increases and fewer workers contribute to pensions (from 3 million pensioners in 1975 to over 9 million today), sustainability becomes a pressing issue.

Economic Challenges in Spain's Aging Population

The Unsustainable Pension System

• Spain is facing an uncontrolled growth in its aging population, leading to a financial burden on the state as it struggles to support increasing pension demands.

• Spanish politics has been short-sighted, with leaders over the past 40 years postponing solutions to the pension crisis due to the growing number of elderly voters.

• Addressing pensions realistically could lead to immediate electoral losses for politicians, as media narratives often downplay the severity of the issue.

• By 2040, projections indicate that individuals under 18 and those over 65 will equal those of working age, exacerbating dependency ratios.

• The demographic pyramid is shifting towards a diamond shape, indicating a significant increase in retirees without sufficient contributors to sustain pensions.

Future Projections and Dependency Rates

• The baby boomer generation is living longer, which increases their pension collection period while decreasing the workforce base needed for sustainability.

• By 2050, Spain is expected to have one of the highest dependency rates globally at 72.2%, highlighting an unsustainable public pension system.

• Current funding mechanisms do not save contributions for future retirees but rather redistribute them immediately to current beneficiaries.

Comparisons with Other Countries

• Other countries like Germany are raising retirement ages (from 65 to 77), while France faces public backlash against similar reforms proposed by President Macron.

• The UK plans for retirement at age 68 by 2046; Italy has linked retirement age directly with life expectancy since changes made in 2010.

• Sweden’s model ties pensions to lifetime contributions and economic growth, adjusting automatically based on demographic changes.

Broader Implications of Demographic Changes

• The aging population leads not only to pressure on social security systems but also increases healthcare costs significantly as more people retire and fewer young workers enter the labor market.

• A shrinking workforce may result in productivity declines and reduced economic growth due to decreased consumer spending from an older demographic.

Cultural Tensions and Psychological Challenges

• Older adults often feel disconnected from younger generations' cultural interests and needs, leading to potential generational tensions over differing values and priorities.

• As society increasingly prioritizes youthfulness and beauty, older individuals face marginalization within consumer culture that emphasizes products appealing primarily to younger demographics.

Understanding the Challenges of Aging

The Impact of Social Isolation on the Elderly

• The marginalization of the elderly is a growing concern, leading to a complex and hostile environment for them.

• Social isolation among older adults can result in serious health issues, including depression and cognitive decline.

• Factors contributing to this isolation include decreased mobility, lack of technological skills, and loss of friends or family members.

• Grieving losses in old age can be particularly intense due to accumulated experiences with mortality.

Retirement: A Double-Edged Sword

• While retirement is often seen as an idyllic time for self-care, it can also lead to feelings of purposelessness if not managed well.

• Historically, older individuals were expected to remain active contributors within their families and communities; this expectation has shifted significantly.

• In some cultures, expecting seniors to engage solely in leisure activities may waste their lifetime knowledge and experience.

The Reality of Assisted Death

• In Switzerland, 20% of assisted death cases involve elderly individuals who feel they have no motivation left to live.

• Research in the Netherlands explores providing older adults with means to end suffering from life they no longer wish to endure.

Embracing Aging as a Journey

• Aging should be viewed as a phase rich with introspection and wisdom rather than merely decline; it represents resilience against societal youth obsession.

• Supporting the elderly involves offering respect and understanding while recognizing their valuable experiences.

Personal Responsibility in Aging

• Individuals are encouraged not to rely on external solutions for aging challenges but instead plan proactively for their futures.